While Evander Kane is doing his best to help the Edmonton Oilers stay alive in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, there’s some business that will need to be discussed between the Oilers and Kane’s representatives as soon as this series — or the Final if Edmonton advances — is complete. One of the stories in the background of any negotiation between the two sides is where Kane sits with the San Jose Sharks.

On the surface, the forward and the Sharks organization appear to have moved on from one another. That’s not really the case, because Kane and the NHLPA have filed a grievance over the termination of his previous contract. One hearing has already taken place and another will follow as soon as the Oilers’ playoff run is complete. If he wins that grievance, the Sharks will be on the hook for a good chunk of Kane’s remaining salary.

 

The Details Of What Could Happen

As per Sheng Peng of NBC Sports, “At stake is the entirety of Kane’s contract, both money owed and the cap hit. In short, it’s all or nothing for both the Sharks and Kane.” He adds, “If the Sharks win and the termination is upheld, they’re free and clear of all obligations to Kane. If Kane wins and the termination is overturned, the Sharks owe him the balance of his contract.”

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This gets interesting because Kane can’t double dip between the Oilers and the Sharks. If Edmonton signs Kane to an extension, say around $4 million per season, the Sharks (should they lose the grievance) have to pay off the difference. If Kane wins, the Sharks could owe him as much as $19 million of actual cash over the next three seasons. That’s $7 million AAV against the cap and that’s enough to wonder if the Sharks would simply rather just have the player at that price.

The same source that said the Sharks would owe the difference of what Kane makes on an extension with the Oilers and what they are ruled to pay if they lose said, “If Kane wins his grievance, his rights and contract would revert entirely back to the Sharks.”

 

Then What Happens With Kane?

If Kane wins his grievance and the Sharks decide to keep the player, they’ll have a few choices. First, they could try to trade Kane. That would allow them to recoup something for the asset and get his salary off of their books.